Are you guys ready to meet a new k-pop group?!
AHOF, the highly anticipated 9-member boy group, made their official debut on July 1st with their first mini-album, “WHO WE ARE.” Born from the intense competition of the SBS survival show “Universe League,” AHOF has already caught global attention with their diverse talent and charisma with their pre-debut content. Their debut promises to be a memorable one, with the exciting title track, “Rendezvous”.
I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with JL, Steven, Zhang Shuaibo, Park Ju Won, Seo Jeong Woo, Cha Woongki, Park Han, Chih En, and Daisuke to dive into their journey from “Universe League” champions to the cusp of their debut. Join me as we learn more about the group, their creative process behind “WHO WE ARE,” and what fans can expect from their “Rendezvous” with the K-pop stage.
But first a greeting message from AHOF themselves! You can then watch the full interview below or read it. We also played a fun game called “Guess Who?!.” Enjoy!
Davide: Hello AHOF! I’m Davide, thank you for taking the time for this interview. Congratulations on your debut!! How are you all doing today? It must be an exciting time with the debut!
Could you please introduce yourselves one by one to our readers? Including a fun fact or something unique about yourselves.
Steven: Hello I’m Steven, My TMI is that I could not do any workout due to busy schedules.
Jeongwoo: Hi I’m Jeonwoo and today’s TMI is that I had shaved ice!
Woongki: Hello I’m Woongki Today’s TMI was I have been waiting for you for a long time
Shuaibo: Hello I’m Shuaibo. Today’s TMI is that today, I am pretty!
Han: Hi am Han, TMI is that I have bad sight.
JL: Hello I’m JL and I can’t sleep without holding something.
Juwon: Hello I’m Juwon and today’s TMI is that I ate 2 rows of Kimbap.
Chihen: Hi I’m Chihen, today’s TMI is that I love my today’s face but actually, I love everything!
Daisuke: Hello I’m Daisuke and my TMI is that I had strawberry yogurt for breakfast.
Davide: Your group name, AHOF, is very unique, can you please tell us the origin of it?Woongki: It stands for “All-time Hall Of Famer” and contains our ambition to stand in the K-Pop Hall of Fame. 🙂
Davide: Having just come from ‘Universe League,’ how has that experience prepared you for what’s next? What was the biggest lesson you learned on the show that you’ll carry into AHOF’s debut?
Chihen: We have done and experienced so many things together that became really close to each other.
Daisuke: I heard the basic of singing and dancing but also facial expressions during the performance.
Davide: As a newly formed group, how would you describe AHOF’s unique colour or identity in the K-pop landscape? What makes your team special?
Jeongwoo: Because we are global group, we have diverse and difference nationalities which is our identity for sure. Wherever we go, we have no problem communicating. Isn’t this a strength?
Davide: Beyond your musical talents, what unique personalities do each member bring to the group?
Steven: All AHOF members have different nationalities and personalities. Each of us has our own distinct vibe and the unique color of us is the way our different charms naturally harmonise on stage!
Jeongwoo: Each of us have something that they are good at.
Han: We have variety of unique personalities such as muscles, kindness, thick hair, cuteness, tall, big eyes, smart, and a never-ending noisy.
JL: We all have different interests and when those get together, they become PERFECT. I think the hobbies that reflect each member’s individuality, such as fashion, style, driving, photography, cooking, and traveling, are special!
Davide: Your debut mini-album [WHO WE ARE] is finally out. Can you tell us about the overall concept of this album?
Steven: The [WHO WE ARE] mini album is a refreshing and emotional album that captures the colours of all AHOF members.
Davide: Your title track is [Rendezvous]. What message do you hope fans take away from it?
Woongki: A greeting that’s not all that sad! We’re back and we’ve debuted! Doesn’t it seem like a greeting that’s not all that sad? The title song it includes our real mind, our passion, our promises, our thinkings, stories, and it includes a lot of things so you need to listen to it!
Davide: Let’s talk about the other tracks too, besides the title track. What other song would you recommend for first-time listeners and why?
Steven: “Incompleted”! It’s my favourite track of the album.
Jeongwo: The title but also “The Universe.” They are different songs in terms of mood, but I think they both capture the feeling well.
Woongki: I recommend all of the songs from our album! The moods are all different!
Shuaibo: Our title song! Because it’s AHOF’s first song!
Han: “Rendezvous” and “The Little Star”! We can show who we are to the listeners
JL: “Incompleted” They will like just at first listening.
Juwon: “Cosmic Underdog” Just by listening will make you feel relaxed and find yourself bouncing!
Chihen: And for me, is our title track because the choreography is great and also the melody and lyrics are perfect.
Daisuke: The title song! You will know the group AHOF!
Davide: With the release of ‘WHO WE ARE’, are there any specific locations or regions you’d like to visit to perform for your fans?
Steven: I want to go to Australia and do concert with the members.
Jeongwoo: I want to visit all the foreign members’ home country!
Woongki: I want to go to the member’s country, for sure, and wherever our fans are, we want to go there!
Shuaibo: I haven’t gone nowhere, so everywhere is fine!
Han: I never have been abroad so I want to visit every country.
JL: I want to go to my hometown, Philippine.
Juwon: II want to visit Japan! It is really close to Korea, but I have never been there
Chihen: I want to go to my hometown with my members, and do some concerts and also, I want to go to the night market.
Daisuke: I want to go to Japan! I want to introduce to my member’s real Japan’s beauty!
Davide: Who are some of the artists, both in and outside of K-pop, who inspire you as an artist?
Steven: I wanted to become a singer after listening to IU.
Jeongwoo: I admired BTS and Wanna One when I was little.
Woongki: When I was so young, my dream was to become one of Wonder Girls’ member. I thought that I could be but I realise that I cannot.
Shuaibo: Girls Generation had inspired me!
Han: As I grew up watching Michal Jackson, I naturally liked to dance and sing and when I turned 20, there was a time when I almost gave up. At that time, I saw a musical movie called “tick, tick… BOOM!,” and the story of the main character Janathan Larson resonated with me, and I pulled myself together again.
JL: Sandara Park and BTS V inspired me!
Juwon: ZICO! I get inspired whenever I must study my lyrics or even write my rap.
Chihen: Actually, for me s TWICE. “Cheer up” is my favourite song
Daisuke: BTS and NCT. BTS was my first Kpop idol that I loved, then I loved NCT. And I dreamed to be Kpop idol.
Davide: Together with getting ready for this debut, rest and keeping healthy is very important. Do you have any hobbies or relaxing activities to help you unwind?
Steven: These days, I am into playing video games with Jeongwoo.
Jeongwoo: Playing video games with Steven.
Woongki: I like going to café alone and do my works.
Shuaibo: I sleep and play video games
Han: I sleep or watch movies.
JL: I film videos, take photos, and edit them! I like to go out! Also fashions too! And writing letters! I have a lot.
Juwon: I like to go out and dance street-dance. Also, I like to watch dramas too
Chihen: For me, if I was rest time, I go to a travel by myself because I love travel.
Daisuke: I like to play video games.
Davide: Do you have a special message for your fans?
Shuaibo: AHOF finally made a debut! Let’s be together forever!
Davide: That’s all for today! Thank you so much, guys! You are doing such a great job and you should be proud of yourself! I hope to see you soon!
That’s all for today! I hope you enjoyed reading and watching the interview with the mini-game Guess Who?! Make sure support AHOF all social media and to stream [WHO WE ARE] now!
DAVIDE K-POP 